Identification, quantification and analysis of observable anthropogenic debris along swiss river and lakes (IQASL)

IQASL is a project sponosored by the Swiss Federal Office for the environment to quantify shoreline trash along swiss lakes and rivers in the Rhone, Aare, Ticino and Linth/Limmat catchment areas. This is accomplished by conducting multiple small scale and discrete litter surveys throughout the river bassin. The majority of samples are taken from lakes.

What is a litter survey?

A litter survey is the identification and count of all objects found within a delimited area, in this study all surveys were bordered on one side by water. Each object is placed into one of 260 categories¹. The location, date, survey dimensions and the total number of objects in each category is noted.

Purpose of the surveys

The survey results help ALL stakeholders identify the items that make up the mass of trash found in the natural environment on the shores of Swiss lakes and rivers. The surveys answer the following questions:

  • What items are found?
  • How much is found ? (total weights and item counts)
  • How often are these items found?
  • Where do you find the most?

These are the most frequently asked questions and should be considered when determining any mitigation or reduction strategies.

The project is based on the following assumptions:

  • The more trash there is on the ground the more a person is likely to find
  • The survey results represent the minimum amount of trash at that site²
  • For each survey: finding one item does not effect the chance of finding another³

Purpose of this report

Summarize the survey results for the municpality and define the magnitude of those results with respect to other locations in the river bassin and the aggregated national results.

The survey results are presented as follows:

  • Total object count, total weight and weight of plastics
  • The most abundant objects from the survey area and all the other survey areas sorted by total object count
  • Pieces of trash per meter (pcs/m): the ratio of number of objects found to the length of the shoreline
  • Objects that were found in at least 60% of the surveys

Contents of this report

Scope: description of the survey area

  • survey totals
  • survey locations
  • summary results

Municipal results, survey dimensions, locations, aggregated totals

  • weights and measures: cumulative
  • number of objects removed
  • suvey location map

Trash removed: most abundant objects

  • the most common objects from the municipality
  • the most common objects from the water feature or survey area

Trash removed: the most often and abundant

  • objects that are found in more than 50% of surveys
  • objects that are the most abundant
  • objects found in less than 50% of the surveys

Trash removed: utility and material

  • utility classification
  • material classification

Annex

  • effective data: report of missing records
  • survey location coordinates
  • population profile and results by municipality
  • itemized list of objects removed

More information

For more information about the project visit project home.

If you would like more information specific information about this survey area please contact:

  1. Swiss federal office for the environment - Municipal waste section
  2. analyst@hammerdirt.ch

¹ The EU guide on monitoring marine litter
² There is most likely more trash at the survey site, but certainly not less than what was recorded.
³ Independent observations : stats stackexchange

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Municipal survey results: Biel/Bienne

The Aare survey area

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Aggregated results: Biel/Bienne

  1. Number of surveys: 17

  2. Number of locations surveyed: 3

  3. Total meters of shoreline surveyed: 697

  4. Total surface area: 5092m²
  5. Total time in hours: 47
  6. Pieces of trash per meter of shoreline: 5.06
  7. Number of objects removed: 3309
  8. Kilograms removed : 8.2
  9. Kilograms of plastic removed: 4.0

Survey locations Biel/Bienne

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The 10 most abundant objects

The top ten items from Biel/Bienne and Bielersee. The survey results vary from region to region. If your municipality shows higher results for a particular object or group you may be close to the source or a zone of accumulation.

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How often are these objects found?

Frequency of occurence from Biel/Bienne and the Aare survey area. Some objects are found often and in elevated quantities, others are found often and in small quantities and some times objects are found less often but in large quantities. Knowing the diffference can help find the sources.

Objects found in at least 60% of surveys AND in the top ten
Combined they had an average pieces per meter per survey of 3.32, a min of 0.37 and max of 6.76

1. Fragmented plastics
2. Cigarette butts and filters
3. Food wrappers; candy, snack packaging
4. Fragmented plastics
5. Industrial sheeting
6. Tobacco; plastic packaging, containers
7. Plastic construction waste
8. Glass or ceramic drink bottles, pieces
9. Packaging plastic nonfood or unknown
10. Styrofoam < 5mm

Objects found in less than 60% of the surveys and in the top ten
Combined they had an average pieces per meter per survey of 0.11, a min of 0.01 and max of 0.86

1. Paraffin wax
2. Foamed EVA for crafts and sports

Objects found in at least 60% of the surveys AND NOT in the top ten
Combined they had an average pieces per meter per survey of 0.66, a min of 0.04 and max of 1.38

1. Food containers single use foamed or plastic
2. Plastic fragments angular <5mm
3. Industrial pellets (nurdles)
4. Foil wrappers, aluminum foil
5. Metal bottle caps, lids & pull tabs from cans
6. Other medical items (swabs, bandaging, adhesive plaster)
7. Lid/cap rings from plastic bottles/containers
8. Lollypop sticks
9. Straws and stirrers
10. String < 1cm
11. Insulation: includes spray foams and foam board
12. Fireworks; rocket caps, exploded parts & packaging
13. Cotton bud/swab sticks

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Material type and Utility: percent of total objects collected

Material type The material type is determined based on the classification in the the guide on monitoring marine litter.

Utility: The utility type is based on the utilisation of the object prior to it being discarded. Objects are placed into to one of the 260 categories. Those categories are grouped according to utilisation.

For example, a piece of plastic would be placed into the category 'Fragmented plastics', depending on its size. However, a piece of plastic that was once a bucket and we know this because we are familiar with either the brand or the product, is placed in a code for buckets⁸.

  • wastewater: items released from water treatment plants includes items likely toilet flushed
  • micro plastics (< 5mm): fragmented plastic items and pre-production plastic resins
  • infrastructure: items related to construction and maintenance of all infratructure items
  • food and drink: primarily single use plastic items related to consuming food and drinks outdoors
  • agriculture: primarily industrial sheeting includes plastic sheeting, mulch films
  • tobacco: primarily cigarette ends includes all smoking related material
  • recreation: includes fishing, hunting, boating and beach related objects, excludes food, drink and tobacco items
  • packaging non food and drink: packaging or wrapping material not identified as food, drink nor tobacco related
  • plastic fragments: foam and plastic fragments of indeterminate origin and use
  • personal items: accessories, hygiene and clothing related

⁸ See the annex for the complete list of objects identified, includes category and group classification

More information

Contact hammerdirt.ch for any questions about the content of this report. If you would like a report for your municipality contact the Swiss federal office for the environment: Municipal waste section.

Have a great day

This project was made possible by the Swiss federal office for the environment.
This document originates from https://github.com/hammerdirt-analyst/iqals all copyrights apply.
roger@hammerdirt.ch pushed the run button on 2021-05-20.

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Annex

Survey locations

latitude longitude lake/river bfsnum
location
Müllermatte 47.133339 7.227907 Bielersee 371
Schüsspark strand 47.146500 7.268620 Schüss 371
Strandboden-Biel 47.132510 7.233142 Bielersee 371

Inventory of all items removed

quantity pcs_m
item code material groupname
Cigarette butts and filters G27 Plastic tobacco 781 1.150
Fragmented plastics Gfrags Plastic plastic pieces 403 0.500
Food wrappers; candy, snack packaging G30 Plastic food and drink 253 0.415
Industrial sheeting G67 Plastic agriculture 166 0.255
Fragmented plastics Gfoam Plastic infrastructure 163 0.200
Packaging plastic nonfood or unknown G941 Plastic packaging non food 95 0.140
Glass or ceramic drink bottles, pieces G200 Glass food and drink 94 0.080
Foamed EVA for crafts and sports G940 Plastic recreation 84 0.090
Paraffin wax G213 Chemicals recreation 75 0.145
Styrofoam < 5mm G117 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 71 0.100
Tobacco; plastic packaging, containers G25 Plastic tobacco 62 0.070
Insulation: includes spray foams and foam board G74 Plastic infrastructure 62 0.075
Cotton bud/swab sticks G95 Plastic waste water 55 0.100
Foil wrappers, aluminum foil G177 Metal food and drink 54 0.060
Plastic construction waste G89 Plastic infrastructure 49 0.090
Paper fragments G156 Paper not classified 47 0.090
Industrial pellets (nurdles) G112 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 44 0.060
Plastic fragments angular <5mm G106 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 38 0.070
Foamed items & pieces (non packaging/insulation) foamed sponge material G73 Plastic recreation 37 0.070
Lollypop sticks G31 Plastic food and drink 33 0.050
Lid/cap rings from plastic bottles/containers G24 Plastic food and drink 28 0.050
Straws and stirrers G35 Plastic food and drink 27 0.050
Fireworks; rocket caps, exploded parts & packaging G904 Plastic recreation 24 0.025
Lids unidentified G23 Plastic packaging non food 22 0.020
String < 1cm G50 Plastic recreation 22 0.030
Metal bottle caps, lids & pull tabs from cans G178 Metal food and drink 21 0.030
Balloons and balloon sticks G125 Rubber recreation 20 0.040
Construction material; bricks, pipes, cement G204 Glass infrastructure 20 0.315
Food containers single use foamed or plastic G10 Plastic food and drink 19 0.030
Cups, lids, single use foamed and hard plastic G33 Plastic food and drink 16 0.050
Other medical items (swabs, bandaging, adhesive plaster) G211 Unidentified personal items 16 0.030
Lids for chemicals, detergents (non-food) G22 Plastic infrastructure 16 0.020
Corks G159 Wood food and drink 15 0.035
Wire and mesh G191 Metal agriculture 14 0.045
Drink lids G21 Plastic food and drink 14 0.040
Cigarette boxes, tobacco related paper/cardboard G152 Paper tobacco 14 0.050
Straps/bands; hard, plastic package fastener G66 Plastic infrastructure 13 0.030
Tape, masking/duct/packing G87 Plastic infrastructure 13 0.030
Toys and party favors G32 Plastic recreation 12 0.030
Cups, food containers, wrappers (paper) G153 Paper food and drink 12 0.030
Tissue, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels G923 Paper personal items 11 0.030
Processed timber G161 Wood agriculture 10 0.050
Labels, bar codes G922 Plastic packaging non food 10 0.020
Bags; plastic shopping/carrier/grocery and pieces G3 Plastic packaging non food 10 0.030
Diapers - wipes G98 Plastic waste water 9 0.030
Industrial scrap G186 Metal infrastructure 8 0.030
Shotgun cartridges G70 Plastic recreation 8 0.035
Plastic shavings from lathes, CNC machining G942 Plastic not classified 8 0.050
Hair clip, hair ties, personal accessories plastic G905 Plastic personal items 8 0.020
Cans, beverage G175 Metal food and drink 7 0.040
Cardboard (boxes and fragments) G148 Paper not classified 7 0.020
Ice cream sticks, toothpicks, chopsticks G165 Wood food and drink 7 0.020
Small industrial spheres <5mm G118 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 7 0.050
Small plastic bags; freezer, zip-lock etc. G4 Plastic packaging non food 7 0.050
Medical; containers/tubes/ packaging G100 Plastic waste water 6 0.020
Tape; electrical, insulating G908 Plastic infrastructure 6 0.025
Other metal pieces < 50cm G198 Metal not classified 6 0.030
Pens, lids, mechanical pencils etc. G28 Plastic personal items 6 0.025
Wood (processed) G170 Wood agriculture 6 0.030
Cigarette lighters G26 Plastic tobacco 6 0.030
Dog feces bag G101 Plastic personal items 6 0.030
Drink bottles < = 0.5L G7 Plastic food and drink 6 0.025
Foamed plastic <5mm G115 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 5 0.025
Biomass holder G91 Plastic waste water 5 0.030
Ribbons and bows G928 Plastic not classified 5 0.025
Mask medical, synthetic G901 Plastic personal items 5 0.020
Granules <5mm G116 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 4 0.160
Cable ties; steggel, zip, zap straps G93 Plastic infrastructure 4 0.020
Tableware ceramic or glass, cups, plates, pieces G203 Glass not classified 4 0.090
Rope , string or nets G142 Cloth recreation 4 0.070
Bags G2 Plastic packaging non food 4 0.060
Condoms incl. packaging G133 Rubber waste water 3 0.020
Fiberglass fragments G68 Plastic infrastructure 3 0.030
Rubber bands G131 Rubber personal items 3 0.120
Rope > 1cm G49 Plastic recreation 3 0.070
Nails, screws, bolts etc. G919 Metal infrastructure 3 0.060
Sails and canvas G143 Cloth recreation 3 0.020
Fenders G64 Plastic not classified 3 0.090
Cutlery, plates and trays G34 Plastic food and drink 3 0.020
Terracotta balls G917 Glass not classified 3 0.035
Caps and lids G20 Plastic packaging non food 3 0.030
Matches or fireworks G167 Wood recreation 3 0.070
Fishing line monofilament (angling) G59 Plastic recreation 2 0.025
Other glass/ceramic G210 Glass not classified 2 0.025
Rope, synthetic G48 Plastic recreation 2 0.020
Clothes, footware, headware, gloves G135 Cloth personal items 2 0.030
Other cans < 4 L G188 Metal infrastructure 2 0.050
Cosmetics, non-beach use personal care containers G12 Plastic personal items 2 0.020
Paperclips, clothespins, plastic utility items G914 Plastic personal items 2 0.025
Plastic fragments rounded <5mm G103 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 2 0.030
Sanitary-pads/panty liners/tampons G96 Plastic waste water 2 0.035
Sheeting ag. greenhouse film G936 Plastic agriculture 2 0.025
String trimmer line, used to cut grass, weeds, and shrubbery G927 Plastic not classified 2 0.050
Foam earplugs G930 Plastic personal items 2 0.020
Clothing, towels & rags G137 Cloth not classified 1 0.020
Other metal G197 Metal not classified 1 0.020
Tags fishing or industry (security tags, seals) G43 Plastic recreation 1 0.020
Mesh bags G37 Plastic not classified 1 0.020
Ceramic tile and pieces G921 Glass infrastructure 1 0.020
Glove industrial/professional G41 Plastic agriculture 1 0.020
Batteries - household G195 Metal personal items 1 0.020
Glass or ceramic fragments > 2.5 cm G208 Glass not classified 1 0.020
Safety pins, paper clips, small metal utility items G918 Metal personal items 1 0.030
Coverings; plastic packaging, sheeting for protecting large cargo items G38 Plastic agriculture 1 0.020
Milk cartons, tetrapack G150 Paper food and drink 1 0.020
Shoes sandals G71 Plastic personal items 1 0.020
Nets and pieces < 50cm G53 Plastic recreation 1 0.020
Plastic fragments subrounded <5mm G104 Plastic micro plastics (< 5mm) 1 0.020
Electronics and pieces; sensors, headsets etc. G929 Metal personal items 1 0.030
Pencils and pieces G916 Wood personal items 1 0.020
Fireworks paper tubes and fragments G155 Paper recreation 1 0.020
Flowers, plants plastic G939 Plastic not classified 1 0.020
Pacifier G913 Plastic personal items 1 0.020
Other wood < 50cm G171 Wood agriculture 1 0.020
Other rubber G134 Rubber not classified 1 0.040
Other paper items G158 Paper not classified 1 0.030
Drink bottles > 0.5L G8 Plastic food and drink 1 0.020